NY Diversity Program

The UCB Training Center believes a diverse student body is fundamental to developing rich comedic scenes in improvisation, sketch, and character work.

Through outreach, scholarships, and community events, the UCB Training Center aims to develop a student body that reflects the society in which it exists.

As the curriculum promotes being truthful and drawing from real life when possible, classes are more rewarding when students bring a variety of experiences to the work they do in class and on the stage.

We are looking to increase our diversity of

race and ethnicity

sexual orientation and gender identification

people over 40

individuals with disabilities

U.S. military service members or veterans

In addition to efforts at the UCB Training Center, we support a broad range of community organizations that foster inclusion, encourage diversity and are committed to advancing comedic opportunities for under-served communities.

SCHOLARSHIPS / FELLOWSHIPS

Twice a year, we offer over 175 new and returning students scholarship credits to study for free at the Training Center. We are looking for students with diverse backgrounds in the NYC metropolitan area whose financial situation would make studying at the UCB Training Center difficult or impossible otherwise.

As of December 2015, we are also offering a fellowship for applicants interested in the non-financial benefits of the scholarship. For more information on the difference between fellowships and scholarships, click here. Apply for either the scholarship or fellowship, not both.

Application windows are in the summer (June-July) and winter (December-January).

The winter application window is currently open. Applications are due by 11:59pm on Monday, January 8, 2018. Late applications will not be accepted.

We only send out emails once or twice a month, so we won't be clogging up your inbox.

OUTREACH

For the past three years, we have teamed up with the All Stars Project to offer free improv workshops and Improv 101 classes to youth from across New York City.

Throughout the year, we offer teen improv classes for 15-18 year-olds, which are free to students who receive free or discounted lunches at NYC schools. To see if any teen classes are coming up, visit our open courses page.

Since 2013, we have also run a Teen Improv Fest in conjunction with the NYC Department of Education, where we send teachers to 20 schools to help coach improv teams there and prepare them for an end-of-year show hosted at the UCB Theatre.

SUPPORT

Our director of student affairs, Marissa Tunis, a licensed psychologist, is available for counseling and feedback regarding a variety of issues. She has held teacher training sessions and scheduled student forums regarding diversity in response to feedback from students, so please reach out to her if you are a student who would like to discuss your experiences about diversity. She can be reached at [email protected]

INITIATIVES AT A GLANCE

Since its inception in 2009, the Upright Citizens Brigade Training Center has awarded over $1,000,000 in scholarships via our program.

Though a partnership with the NYC Department of Education, we have worked with 14 High Schools throughout the five boroughs.

Past scholarship recipients include writers and performers on staff at:

Arrow

Broad City

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

The Daily Show

Full Frontal with Samantha Bee

Ghosted

Girl Code

I Love You, America

Inside Amy Schumer

Key & Peele

Late Night with Seth Meyers

The Mayor

New Girl

Party Over Here

Saturday Night Live

The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Why? with Hannibal Buress

Dozens of student scholarship recipients have gone on the join the UCB Theatre as house team performers, writers or staff members.

We look forward to increasing our partnerships, opportunities and programs annually in line with the growth and experience of the organization.